What Marvel Isn’t Telling You About the Future of Hulk and ‘Avengers 2′

We've heard rumors of a 'Planet Hulk' movie since early last year, but everyone from Joss Whedon to Mark Ruffalo have denied those claims. And, here's the thing: they're right (sort of). There won't be a 'Planet Hulk' movie (sort of). But, it's what Whedon, Ruffalo and Marvel aren't telling you about the future of Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that prove there is some truth to the 'Planet Hulk' rumors after all. MAJOR 'AVENGERS 2' SPOILERS AHEAD!

Ruffalo once again answered the 'Planet Hulk' question this week, talking to MTV about the possibility of that film, saying:

I don’t think ['Planet Hulk'] is the way to go yet. I think you need more Banner. The whole thing is just him as Hulk, on a planet, fighting other gladiators.

Which, is a very good point. Part of what makes Hulk work onscreen, as compared to the comics, is the dynamic between Banner and his angry alter ego. And, he's also being honest. There is no 'Planet Hulk' movie being planned at Marvel, but that doesn't mean they can't borrow some of the elements of that storyline to bridge the gap between 'Avengers 2' and 'Avengers 3.'

One of the big questions we've had so far is how Marvel plans to introduce the Guardians of the Galaxy to our current Earth-bound Avengers for their big battle against Thanos in 'Avengers 3.' A hot rumor back around the time of 'Iron Man 3' was that Tony Stark would get a distress signal from space and use a new Space Armor to blast off (and, theoretically, meet up with the Guardians). That scene never came to fruition, but now we're starting to get a clearer idea of how the gap between the Avengers and their intergalactic partners might be bridged.

According to Drew McWeeny of Hitfix, at the end of 'Avengers 2,' Hulk is placed inside an upgraded Quinjet and blasted off into space, as the rest of the Avengers grow concerned about Banner's ability to control "the other guy." The flight is pre-programmed and he can't stop it. Does this sound familiar at all?

They launch Bruce Banner into space to try to get rid of him and the Hulk. He ends up freaking out, smashing up the spaceship, and it goes off course and ends up on this planet of gladiator creatures.

Very 'Planet Hulk'-esque, right?

Now, we were on the set of 'Avengers 2' (not-so-coincidentally with Drew from Hitfix) and we're heavily embargoed, so we'll have to tread lightly on specifics here, but 'Avengers 2' will not lead directly into a 'Planet Hulk' movie. The current speculation, however, is that 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' will serve as a sort of 'Planet Hulk' movie as the planet Hulk crashes on is in the Guardians' orbit and they are tasked with a) stopping him and b) getting him back to Earth. This serves to both up the game of a 'Guardians' sequel, give Hulk something to do in between 'Avengers' movies (a la Black Widow and Nick Fury in 'Captain America 2') and gets the Guardians to Earth to assist the Avengers in defeating Thanos (a man they'll have some experience with after their first movie).

The pieces are all starting to fall into place, and while we can't confirm any of the above details about 'Guardians of the Galaxy 2' and Hulk just yet, we expect to have some more details on that soon, as 'Guardians' director James Gunn starts making the rounds.